Cognitive electronic warfare scheduler

Abstract

A cognitive scheduler and asset allocation system to optimize electronic warfare (EW) resource allocation in reaction to RF signals observed in real-time without the need for prior collected data and without a predetermined scan schedule. The EW system of the present disclosure may further provide optimum resource allocation to minimize response time and to more effectively react to agile threat systems in an area of operations.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method comprising:
 operating a platform carrying at least one wideband receiver and at least two additional receivers thereon in a theater containing one or more active emitters; 
 detecting electromagnetic (EM) signals originating from the one or more active emitters with the at least one wideband receiver; 
 assigning a priority level to each frequency band of a plurality of frequency bands encompassing the detected EM signals from the at least one or more active emitters; 
 allocating a first receiver of the at least two additional receivers to a first frequency band having the highest priority level of the plurality of frequency bands, the first frequency band encompassing a first detected EM signal; and 
 allocating a second receiver of the at least two additional receivers to a second frequency band having the second highest priority level of the plurality of frequency bands, the second frequency band encompassing a second detected EM signal. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 continuously increasing the priority level of each frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands that does not have a receiver of the at least two additional receivers allocated thereto. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2  further comprising:
 reallocating at least one of the at least two additional receivers to a third frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands when the third frequency band increases to a priority level higher than the priority level of one of the first and second frequency bands. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3  further comprising:
 continuously reallocating the at least two additional receivers to other frequency bands of the plurality of frequency bands as the priority levels increase over time. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein each step is performed continuously and in near real-time. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein detecting EM signals, assigning priority levels, and allocating the at least two additional receivers are performed without a predetermined scan schedule. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein assigning the priority level further comprises:
 determining a threat level of each active emitter in the theater; and 
 assigning a relative priority to the plurality of frequency bands according to the threat level of the emitters generating EM signals in each band of the plurality of frequency bands. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 detecting an EM signal originating from a newly active emitter in the theater with the at least one wideband receiver; 
 assigning a priority level to the frequency band of a plurality of frequency bands encompassing the EM signal from the newly active emitter; and 
 reallocating one of the first and second receivers of the at least two additional receivers to a frequency band encompassing the EM signal from the newly active emitter only if the priority level thereof exceeds the priority level of one of the first and second frequency bands. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8  further comprising:
 continuously increasing the priority level of each frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands that does not have a receiver of the at least two additional receivers allocated thereto; and 
 continuously reallocating the at least two additional receivers to other frequency bands of the plurality of frequency bands as the priority levels increase over time. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8  wherein assigning the priority level further comprises:
 determining a threat level of each active emitter in the theater; and 
 assigning a relative priority to the plurality of frequency bands according to the threat level of the emitters generating EM signals in each band of the plurality of frequency bands. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1  wherein the platform is an aircraft. 
     
     
       12. A method comprising:
 operating a platform carrying a plurality of receivers thereon in a theater containing a plurality of active emitters; 
 detecting an electromagnetic (EM) signal originating from the at least one active emitter with the at least one receiver; 
 assigning a priority level to a first frequency band of a plurality of frequency bands encompassing the detected EM signal from the at least one active emitter; 
 allocating the at least one receiver to the first frequency band; 
 continuously increasing the priority level of each frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands that does not have a receiver of the at least one receiver allocated thereto; 
 continuously reallocating the at least one receiver to other frequency bands of the plurality of frequency bands as the priority levels increase over time; 
 detecting a first EM signal originating from a first emitter of the plurality of active emitters; 
 detecting a second EM signal originating from a second emitter of the plurality of active emitters; 
 assigning a priority level to a first frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands encompassing the first EM signal and a second frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands encompassing the second EM signal; 
 allocating a first receiver of the plurality of receivers to the one of the first and second frequency bands having the higher priority level; and 
 allocating a second receiver of the plurality of receivers to the other of the first and second frequency bands having the lower priority level. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12  further comprising:
 detecting an EM signal originating from a newly active emitter in the theater; 
 assigning a priority level to the EM signal from the newly active emitter; and 
 reallocating the at least one receiver to a second frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands encompassing the EM signal from the newly active emitter only if the priority level thereof exceeds the priority level of the first frequency band. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 12  wherein detecting EM signals, assigning priority levels, and allocating the at least two additional receivers are performed without a predetermined scan schedule. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 12  wherein assigning the priority level further comprises:
 determining a threat level of each active emitter in the theater; and 
 assigning a relative priority to the plurality of frequency bands according to the threat level of the emitters generating EM signals in each band of the plurality of frequency bands. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 12  wherein each step is performed continuously and in near real-time. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 12  wherein the platform is an aircraft.